Writing Tools  - Learn about enhancing Writing Skills in students with special needs by examining some low-tech solutions such as pen and grips, post-it notes, portable desktops and electonic tools and other simple adaptions to promote independence in writing.  Complete this module   found on the Assistive Technology Training Online (ATTO) Project Web site  developed by the University of Buffalo and the   US Department of Education's Office of Special  Education and Rehabilitation Services. 

List the low-tech solutions outlined at this link for assisting students experiencing difficulty with written expression.
 

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Technology Tools, Tricks and Tips for Writing and Spelling - Word Processors can help some students who   struggle with written expression due to difficulties with  spelling and or handwriting. This article from the Conference Notes of the 13th Annual Learning Disabilities Association of Canada Conference presents an overview of  Word Processors, Talking Word Processors, Stand Alone Word Processors,  Portable Keyboards, Word Prediction Software and E-Dictionaries. 

In your Learning Log, compile a list of the advantages of using Word Processing with students experiencing difficulty with written expression as outlined in the handout entitled Technology Tools, Tricks and Tips for Writing and Spelling  from the 13th Annual Learning Disabilities Association of Canada Conference. 
 

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The Great Keyboarding versus Handwriting Debate- Will keyboarding replace handwriting in the digital age? Should we be teaching keyboarding to children with learning disabilities? Can learning disabled children learn to keyboard as quickly as regular students?  This study entitled "Rates of Development of Keyboarding Skills in Elementary  School Aged Children With and Without Identified Learning  Disabilities" by   Pisha, Bart (1993) attempts to answer this question. The link here takes you to the interpretation of the study results, however, you can link to the entire study as well.

Decide what position you take on the great keyboarding debate.  Post your argument in defense of your position to the message board. Message Board 

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Talking Word Processors-Read about four different talking word processor programs.

Make of list of low and high tech solutions you might use with your students. 

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Speech Recognition in Schools:AN UPDATE FROM THE FIELD by  Bob Follansbee,  Education Development Center  Newton, MA  - This article examines the use of Speech recognition as one tool in a spectrum of writing strategies that stretch from pencils to input by voice where speech recognition lies at  the more sophisticated end of the spectrum. 

Discrete Versus Continuous Voice Recognition - Read this article from the  National Center to Improve Practice (NCIP) in Special Education through Technology, Media and Materials located at Education Development Center, Inc. in Newton,      Massachusetts to find out the difference between the two kinds of systems: Discrete versus Continuous.

Spotlight on Voice Recognition - Participate in this online tutorial with Dr. Bob Follansbee from the National Center to Improve Practice in Special Education Through Technology,  Media and Materials

Upon completion of the above three activities, write a short paragraph on the  potential for the use  of voice recognition software in your school. Post your paragraph to the message board. Message Board 

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Intelli  Talk' s Text-to-Speech, Read E-Text, and Template Features- A Powerpoint Presentation to download
Write Aloud's Text-to-Speech, Read E-Test, and Template Features - A Powerpoint Presentation to download
Writing for All Subjects with the IntelliKeys Overlay Maker - a PDF Handout to download
Using Boardmaker with other software products - a PDF Handout to download
Co-writer - A Powerpoint Presentation to download

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The Resource Room - this site provides a full selection of Reading and Spelling resources for use with special needs students. 

Review this site and pick one activity to use with a special needs student.  Jot this down in your Learning Log.

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